steve fracy

I find it very interesting reading comments about Ray sandbagging. Think about it though. Here's a guy who has been competing at a high level for a longtime. What better way for up and coming rider's to learn about winning than to have to beat a guy who has known for years how to ride. I say hats off to him and you should all give him cudo's for sticking with it for so long and giving back to the sport. In my opinion, the greatest contribution any great rider can give back to the sport is hang around long enough to make all the up and comer's learn from him! Congrats Ray on another title well earned! Cheers, Steve

If I am not mistaken, Ultraman is the illegitemit (sp?) son of Hernia Tryharder. He was conceived while Hernia was in Japan riding a World round some years ago!

Not too bad lookin Heath.................... not quite as nice as a certain Sherco 4T with black rims I know of! (warning.........post pic here!) Steve

Well boys, I'll chime in too, but, not sure if any info I have will help you. I now have a 05 1/2 3.2 4T. Yes, that is the much maligned 4T. As I understand it after a little investigation, it is one of the two minder bikes brought to the Duluth GP in the US in 05. The one that Paxau himself rode round on. I have had two full on rides on it now. I absolutely love the motor and that way it handles hills and slippery conditions, it is like cheating to me! I always keep my favorite bars and pegs no matter what bike I ride. I use Renthal Kuroyama bend. I also have a custom made pair of Hebo pegs that have been set back about 1/2 inch.(I beleive you can by similar ones from RYP in the states) I beleive that those alone are a significant improvement to any bike. Suspension is totally stock and perfect. I may get a Ohlins or one of those new TRP shocks purely for the fact they are rebuildable! Loving the bike even more than I thought I would and can't wait to see the new ones! Steve

My son went from a Beta auto to a Rev50 for one year before moving onto the Rev80. A decision I don't regret at all. But, by far, I beleive the Rev80 is THE best 80 out there. My son competes now against adults in the Junior class on it and we have never run into any situation where it is lacking. Brilliant little bike that is built well! Cheers, Steve

Where abouts on the island are you headed? Our two clubs here don't have any scheduled events until Sept, but I would be glad to show you around and could arrange a wee tour of my area! Send me a PM and I will send you my tel. number Steve

It was actually announced some time ago here in North America that GG was making a 4T and looking to go into production of it in 08

Just been pondering today on how Pat's ride is such a momentus acheivement! I have never had the pleasure of meeting him in person yet, but I can only guess from knowing his Dad, plus knowing Ryan Young, that this young man has had some excellent guidance. I got to thinking though, that a kid with his talent doesn't come along from our side of the pond very often. Most of today's young lads barely know who Bernie Schrieber was! I just think that for Pat to go across and ride his very first time in Europe and have this kind of success is mind bogling! I beleive that all of us in North America need to support him, rider's, importer's(whatever brand they sell), and if there were ever an opportunity for a wealthy business man to step and and complete this young man's dream of being world champ, the time is NOW!!!! Any of us who have had even limited success in regional and National championships have at one time or another dreamed of going to Europe to compete, and then having this opportuntity to be the best in the world. Sadly, because of our geography, it makes it even tougher. All the elements of what make a world champ have to fall into place. For Pat to be so young and so good, and be from the US, well, the time is now! It can only be good for the sport here for him to do well and help pave the way for many more good young rider's from over here to make the leap into the upper level of this sport. It is painfully obvious to me after seeing his results that we need to do whatever we can to help him out. He is riding BIG, so lets try and match his intesity and skill with our efforts. Craig, you have been the key media guy for Pat, lets get the ball rolling even more than it has already and seize this opportunity! cheers, Steve

What an outstanding result for Patrick! Well done! All of North America is proud of him!!!

Please tell me it wasn't Lane..................... next you'll ask me to quote the 3 rules of Pro trials Well done to Pat!

Check out the website for the Tryals shop,(should be alink on here) for the very reasonably priced Fly racing gear! Mike is a top man also! Steve

Craig: thanks for the great picture of Ray and the 4T Beta. I'll have to check all the results now and see how he got on with it! Tell Pat to keep hard at it!!!! Remember, the key is to ride like you want to win, not like you're afraid of losing 1st place! Steve

My guess would be Cody, I see he likes to roll up his sleeves too! Craig, if you get a chance to catch Ray in action on the Beta 4T.................please do so!

Copey: PM me your address and I can send you some special ones from up here, and some classics I have laying around too! Steve

Anyone know why he is wearing a full face helmet these days? I could see the logic for the SSDT, but not much of a loop in Japan!

Perhaps you can add Stink Bombs to that list eh Clive .............shades of Mt.Vernon,Wa in 1986! steve

Donald: Best wishes of a speedy recovery for your Dad! Glad to hear he is doing better! Steve

Awfully touchy now aren't we boys!!!!! I believe Outlaw Dave's statement was an opinion, one that would be shared by more than a few I'm sure due to the fact that the Sherco 4T has been suspect in the past with some teeting problems. As well, Grimbo's limited time spent on it before the SSDT.(Yes I know he's riding the BC on it too). The political issue is an easy one. In case you didn't know, all these four strokes started appearing when the FIM informed us that the manufacturer's will be legislated to produce and rider's only compete on 4strokes..............a political mandate with a target date (which has since been changed twice). Don't get me wrong, I would love to own a 4stroke. But I think it is detremental to the sport to mandate these bikes into production and then the factories have to charge considerably more money than the 2strokes which have nothing wrong with them, mechanically or enviromentally. steve

Tom: Exactly how I felt while I was riding. I was lucky to have my Dad, Outlaw Dave, Walt Healy and mad Harry Mckay as a cheering group and whiskey carriers(those rode rides are cold!). Only now after 15yrs am I thinking about going back with my son in 6yrs when he can ride too. That will be a trip of a lifetime! Steve

Some good points for sure. As someone who has ridden, albeit only once it was a huge eye opener. I guess we need go back through the archives now and see what Lane's prediction was on Geoff's placing. I believe he said top 10!!! I believe Jay is right, had Dennis been there, he would have done better for sure, but not top 10. Anyone who has ridden more than twice has a huge advantage over a newcomer, huge. Stan finished 13th in 84 on his Yam 250 mono, after a couple of attempts on Montesa's. The culmination of having two years experience, the mono yam, and Stan's incredible natural ability was a magical combination. One that will maybe never be beaten for a long time. The other thing is for someone from North America is, so many excellent rider's in the UK. You guys that don't follow too closely (Lane) might not recognize a lot of names on the leader board except past world champ riders, but it is regularly filled with the same names year after year from the UK. I also know that Geoff does not like riding much in the cold and wet...........hmmm, does it ever get like that in the Scottish???? It will be interesting to hear how Geoff liked his experience. Either way, hopefully he had fun and will be back for another go! Steve

My sincere condolences to the entire Tucker family on there loss. Cliff was a great supporter of trials in Colorado and throughout the country. What a huge shock. Steve Fracy

The VMC Terra Nova must be coming up to being around 40 yrsold ! The event was the concept of Jeff Phillips and Joe Brown. Joe was a local Yamaha dealer for many years and a VMC club member. He was also my first sponsor. He still holds the record(and will never be broken) for the most trials bikes sold in one year by a Yamaha dealer back in the 70's. Sadly he was taken from us too early with cancer, and thus we hold the Joe Brown Memorial Trial in his honor every year now since 2000. It is also now the first round of the Outlaw Series. Steve

Me thinks the Ducks and everyone else is way too quick to write off the Canucks after game one. Huge heart with top players out with injury!! last night was Canuck hockey for sure.........oh and who made the pass on the winning goal????? Leading scorer for the team so far in the playoffs? Mr. Linden.

Clive: Yes the Terra Nova still exists! But it is now run out of Lake Cowichan (where the overnight stop is). In my opinion it is still a good event but notat all like it was back when you rode it! In it's heyday, just finishing was an accomplishment! But, just like the Scottish, during the late eighties, entries had a serious downward turn. So, the severity of the event was eased to accomodate a broader base of rider's which is a good thing because it takes the committee the better part of the year to set it up. As well now land issues are a huge problem, with the logging company that owns most of the land requiring huge liability policies to be held by the club. Like everything, it is just not the way it was! One good thing Clive is that the club still owns the acre parcel that it has held for many years now just on the outskirst of town. Although alot of members seem to think that it should be sold, it is the gem in the club's assets. I grew up watching my Dad ride, and set up the Terra Nova and then went on to ride it a few times myself. It is still a very unique and fun event. Well worth riding still today. I remember your Dad coming up and riding as well as another guy..............his name escapes me. Ken................somebody. Cheers, Steve

Brian: don't feel too bad, you are learning the hard way that regular season success does not equal playoff success. Our team finally have it right, start with a great goalie and work out from there!!! We will see how we do against a big but slow Anaheim team. Donald, sorry but I really have a hard time feeling sorry for anyone who cheers for the stinkin Leafs! Steve